Reviews

Kathryn Springstead was able to help me get off of HYDA probation and the registry early so that I could pursue cancer treatments not available in the United Stated. Per the probation guidelines, I was not allowed to leave the country, even though my reasons for doing so were worthy. I was able to explain this to Kathryn and her team and she helped me to get off of HYDA probation early, so that I can pursue that treatment and start to feel better. Without her help, I may have never gotten this treatment, which I desperately needed. If you're in need of any kind of criminal defense help, I fully and wholeheartedly recommend Kathryn Springstead. She will fight for your rights and for the best possible outcome for you and your case. Thank you, Kathryn!

We chose the Springstead Law Firm because of the fine reputation they had in the area. Our son had serious charges against him far from home. Kathy Springstead guided us through the legal process not letting us get to far ahead. In this uncertain time, she not only represented our son but comforted us as parents as our anxieties rose. Navigating us through it all, investigating legal avenues and always communicating the risks and benefits. We had a very lengthy legal process and her legal expertise combined with a heart of gold gave us peace during a time of distress. We highly recommend her. She was able to negotiate a very good outcome that will give him a second chance at his life.

When I hired the Springstead's I was scared of going to jail. I only spent an hour there, with Kathy at my side for most of it. I've been on probation for a yr now but it beats jail by far. Professional, affordable, compassionate people. Thank you so much for giving me my life back.

Having never dealt with law enforcement or the judicial system before, I was very unaware of the process and how I’d incriminated myself for the alleged crime I was being charged with. From my first time calling their office, the Springsteads made me feel at ease and knew how to handle my case. Right off the bat Gary explained that the prosecutors and forthcoming procedures could be frustrating, saying, “I know you want this part of your life to be over with quickly, but sometimes it takes some time and energy to work with the system to get you what you want. Ultimately, taking that time will be worth it.” He was right. After meeting Kathy I immediately felt she was very informed, not only about my specific case but also with the legal actions we could take to prove my innocence and get the outcome I was looking for. Although a complicated matter and the prosecutor being quite staunch with my charge, Kathy kept me informed every time I had a concern or question over the phone, email and text. Eventually we were forced to file a motion to get in front of the judge and Kathy took great care with her preparation of documents and statements. The most remarkable part of Kathy’s work came on the day of our scheduled motion. When we arrived the prosecutor said he wanted to adjourn to a later date. Kathy worked with him in restating all the holes in their case against me and tried to work out some lesser charge. When he finally did offer a less serious misdemeanor Kathy came to me and was passionate about the prosecutor being in the wrong for making me travel four hours (after multiple trips in the pre-trail process) and not being prepared for our motion in front of the judge. Her and I decided to push further. Well, I’m not exactly sure what she said inside the prosecutor’s office but the next thing I knew they were headed into the judge’s office. Kathy worked her magic. Their meeting resulted in a simple civil infraction (nothing on my record) after Kathy presented the facts to the judge anyway and he convinced the prosecutor the case against me was not very solid. I’m so happy that she took the bull by the horns when the opportunity presented itself, but also trust that Kathy would have proven my innocence regardless or even would have gotten the case dismissed altogether if I had wanted to stick it out a little longer. Like Gary told me at the beginning, the judicial system is a curious beast and Kathy knows not only to how prepare and keep calm, but also when to strike. I’m very grateful for her services.

I was looking at possibly a second owi charge within the past 9yrs and the loss of my career and house were at stake. I first hired a lawyer out of panic and without doing my homework. After a couple court dates and him not returning my calls and texts until days later if at all. I started to worry if he even cared. When I finally talked to him he pretty much was saying to take the first plea. A plea I could have gotten on my own. I listened to my gut and decided to research the best lawyers around what was at stake was to important! I found Gary and Kathy Springstead and liked what I saw. The reviews I read about them were spot on. After hiring them it was like night and day between them and my previous attorney. All my questions were answered, all my calls and texts were returned. I actually felt reassured they were there to help me. Gave me a good peace of mind that I hadn't felt or had sense the arrest. After reviewing my case the police report and surveillance video. I was told by them I had a case worth fighting. We filed a motion for dismissal. They were able to find that the officer didn't conduct any of the test properly and the actual stop didn't have probable cause. Kathy ended up writing out in extreme detail a 28 page motion listing everything down to the second. Over 5 months from the time it occurred here I am. I took a plea to a very minor misomeanor just to surface the court to think they won something for doing their job incorrectly. But no jail no fines no probation and kept my CDL and all driving privileges! I couldn't be happier well worth every penny. Making that phone call to Gary and Kathy I know changed my life/future I would highly recommend them!!

If you are wondering wether or not to hire an attorney before you are even charged with a crime, you should! I was being questioned by a detective. The detective submitted his report to the prosecutor. Kathy immediately contacted the detective and the prosecutor to inform them that I was her client. I met with Kathy so that she could get more facts and then she spoke with the prosecutor and found out that there was not a case to even charge me with. I would not have been able to speak with the prosecutor myself. Kathy put our mind at ease from day one. She always kept us informed by phone calls, email, and text. Had this case gone any further, I knew that Kathy would have my back. Kathy was genuinely concerned for me. I would recommend her to anyone I know.

Kathryn and Gary took my case and I was looking at an OWI 2, because of an offense that happened to me 8 years ago. To give a little background during my first offense, I was 21 coming off a combat deployment with the U.S. Army and local cops (not fond of military) hauled me away for sleeping off a night of drinking in my truck with the heat on, in the dead of winter in a parking lot. I had over 50 people vouch for my character but I hired a terrible lawyer and ended up with an impaired driving. Since in Michigan a new law was passed that doesn't clear your record of any alcohol related offense anymore, I was looking at an OWI 2, which are some pretty serious charges. I felt I was wrongly charged and being taken advantage of. I did a little research and found the Springstead law firm in Fremont. After going in for a consultation I was sold as soon as Gary gave me his outlook on my case. Once the process began, Gary's wife (Kathy Springstead) was with me through the whole process. She kept me well informed and relatively stress-free. Once the hearings began, Kathy and Gary did their homework and made the prosecution look like fools, which was justly so. The end result was a civil fraction with no points on my license. Considering I drive company vehicles for my work, I was extremely pleased! Now I'm able to work, learn from my mistakes, and not have to sacrifice my career for offenses charged by an officer clearly having a bad night, looking to smear the driving record of anyone driving his way.

We hired Kathy for our son after he was arrested on a marijuana charge at college in Michigan. That's not so scary these days except that our son had already received a deferred disposition and was on probation in Virginia for a separate and far more serious drug charge. Our son is a tough nut but he accepted Kathy's advice finding her helpful and very professional. She made him feel confident that she could make the most of a bad situation. Kathy worked with the prosecutor in Michigan and with the probation officer in Virginia resulting in another deferred disposition, keeping our son from violating the conditions of his probation. Needless to say, we were all relieved with the outcome and very appreciative of Kathy's experience, guidance and steady hand.

I was charged with No Insurance and a Possession of Marijuana in Mecosta County while attending the Wheatland Music festival this past year. I found the Springstead-Bartish firm here on Avvo, and I was extremely satisfied with what Kathy did for me right from the beginning. She really took the time to understand my situation, the exact details of the day of my arrest, and went above and beyond to find anything to help my defense. She looked into the laws of being pulled over for no insurance, requested the dash cam videos from the police car (which unfortunately did not exist), etc. and told me exactly what would happen every step of the way. Even when technicalities didn't work to my advantage, she didn't just try and cut a prosecution deal. We got written testimony to take to the prosecutor that would prove I was unaware of the marijuana in the car, and it was in fact, not "in my possession"; otherwise Kathy was prepared to take my case to trial. Fortunately, the prosecutor accepted the testimony in my favor and dropped the possession charge before we had to go to trial. Unfortunately, I did in fact borrow a vehicle that was not properly insured (not to my knowledge at the time), and I was convicted of that crime. My sentence was only to pay fines and costs, which were almost entirely covered by my bond; a drop in the bucket, considering the circumstances. I could be on probation, have a drug charge on my record, and be paying a LOT more than I did. On a bit of a side note, I would also like to mention how Kathy seemed to have a great rapport with all of the court staff: from the prosecutor, to the probation department, to the clerks, and even the judge. (Something that is EXTREMELY important in any case.) I would, have, and will continue to highly recommend Kathy and the entire Springstead-Bartish firm for anyone in need of defense. Kathy and her team did wonderful things for me, and I am convinced that they will continue to help many more like me in the future. The level of commitment and the effort put forward in my case ultimately led to getting my charges dropped, and I cannot express my gratitude enough. Thank you, again, Kathy. I appreciate everything you've done.

We originally selected this firm based on the reviews for the 2 main partners. Kathy was assigned to our son’s case and we couldn’t be happier! We just can’t say enough nice things about Kathy. She believed in our son and worked/fought hard for him throughout the entire process. Kathy is not a lawyer that will just tell you what you want to hear, or push things along for additional billings. She’s fair, honest and direct about what is going on, what your options are and what she can do for you. Kathy was always available and very responsive to emails and phone calls. We were never left wondering about what was going on, what the status of anything was, etc. Given the charges our son was initially facing, the outcome of his case is far better than what we feared it would be when we started out. Kathy is most definitely someone that has your back and we would recommend her to anyone!

After being charged with assault & battery in Oceana County, I researched many attorneys before deciding to hire the Springstead Bartish & Borgula firm. Based on the reviews and outcomes of many clients, I knew that they would be the right fit for me. Kathy was clear and consistent with her communication from day one. She was successful in getting the charges dropped and my case dismissed. It was exactly the outcome I was hoping for and she made it happen!

Kathy is the real deal! she takes the extra steps to investigate and seek out all the facts in a case. She is willing to spend the extra time reviewing and analyzing reports and documentation. She uses her resources and knows how to prepare you for trial. Hiring Kathy was a game changer and ultimately got my case dismissed.